Could it be that providing a NCLB waiver will result in greater rigor?  What will states propose to do to demonstrate that they are striving for rigor, even as they request a waiver from the NCLB requirements?  When someone is learning to play an instrument, sometimes the best performance occurs during rehearsal. Sometimes the pressure alone can force a golfer who does very well during practice to “choke” during a tournament. Could performance anxieties, such as the ones individuals face, be impacting entire systems?  If so, could relieving the pressure bring about positive changes?